Page 694 - GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Great Expectations

‘I have an impending engagement,’ said I, glancing at
Wemmick, who was putting fish into the post-office, ‘that
renders me rather uncertain of my time. At once, I think.’
‘If Mr. Pip has the intention of going at once,’ said

Wemmick to Mr. Jaggers, ‘he needn’t write an answer,
you know.’
Receiving this as an intimation that it was best not to
delay, I settled that I would go to-morrow, and said so.
Wemmick drank a glass of wine and looked with a grimly
satisfied air at Mr. Jaggers, but not at me.
‘So, Pip! Our friend the Spider,’ said Mr. Jaggers, ‘has
played his cards. He has won the pool.’
It was as much as I could do to assent.
‘Hah! He is a promising fellow - in his way - but he
may not have it all his own way. The stronger will win in
the end, but the stronger has to be found out first. If he
should turn to, and beat her—‘
‘Surely,’ I interrupted, with a burning face and heart,
‘you do not seriously think that he is scoundrel enough for
that, Mr. Jaggers?’
‘I didn’t say so, Pip. I am putting a case. If he should
turn to and beat her, he may possibly get the strength on
his side; if it should be a question of intellect, he certainly
will not. It would be chance work to give an opinion how

693 of 865